Sam Hjalmar Rydberg (1885-1956), also known as “the Swedish March King,” wrote an estimated 70 marches over his long career. He was born in Nykoping, Sweden and learned to play trumpet, E-flat cornet and cello at an early age. He became a member of the band of the Royal Svea Engineers in Stockholm in 1906 and studied there at the Royal College of Music. He was eventually appointed bandmaster as a lieutenant of that band and led that band until his retirement in 1935. Rydberg remained active for many years as a music teacher at a public school and as an arranger of music for the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation. His compositions include an overture, film music, dance music and lighter novelties.
PERFORMING SUGGESTIONS FOR THIS MARCH This is a traditional European style march and is to be played slower than the traditional American march. Its slower tempo facilitates street marching, and the fewer parts allow for bands of virtually any size to sound full and sonorous. However, it is perfectly suitable for any occasion and allows a band of intermediate skills to experience the style of a Teutonic march. This arrangement makes the march available in the United States for the first time, and it has been edited carefully to maintain the voicings yet acknowledge the range of the younger band. It is an excellent introduction to the stately style. Be sure to contrast dynamics between strains, allowing the melody to always project easily. Feel free to adjust the dynamics to create new contrasts at the repeat of strains. The countermelodies will balance if those holding the long notes recover from the initial attacks at the notes’ beginnings. Allow a space after tied notes and give the proper attention to all moving lines. This is a march brimming with optimism!
ABOUT THE ARRANGER
Mark Fonder, professor of music, is the conductor of the Ithaca College Concert Band and has been teaching conducting and instrumental music education courses at Ithaca College since 1989. From 1994 to 2003, he was the Chairman of the Music Education Department. He is active as a guest conductor, adjudicator, school music consultant, and clinician and has served in these capacities throughout the United States. Internationally, he has guest conducted, given research presentations or adjudicated bands in Australia, Austria, Japan, Canada, China, Singapore, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Dr. Fonder has played principal trombone with the Green Bay (Wisconsin) Symphony, the Green Bay Packer Band, and the San Antonio Brass, and for such entertainers as Robert Goulet, Rich Little, and Rita Moreno. In 1987, Dr. Fonder was awarded the National Band Association-Wisconsin Chapter Citation of Excellence, in 1998, the Ithaca College President's Recognition Award and has been the recipient of a University of Wisconsin teaching fellowship. In 2012, his book, Patrick Conway and his Famous Band, was published by Meredith Music. He has been elected to Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary education fraternity, Phi Kappa Phi, an honorary scholars fraternity, Pi Kappa Lambda, an honorary music fraternity and the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.
